CCNA Default Routes: Edge-to-Core Gateway of Last Resort

Bundle lab · $29.99

Configure a default route on a branch edge router and a return static route on an upstream core router to enable full bidirectional connectivity between a stub branch LAN and a core server LAN. Verify the S* default route, gateway of last resort, and end-to-end reachability from real hosts. Troubleshoot missing default or return paths.

Learning objectives

• Deploy a default static route on a branch edge router toward an upstream next-hop
• Understand how the gateway of last resort is selected and represented as S* in the routing table
• Configure a specific return static route on the upstream router back to the branch LAN
• Verify routing tables and end-to-end host reachability across a routed uplink
• Troubleshoot common default/return-path mistakes and route-to-self errors

Troubleshooting focus

• Verify every link's interface status and IP addressing (`show ip interface brief`) and correct any interface that is down or misaddressed.
• Confirm each device's running configuration matches the lab objective, and bring any interface, route, or service that is not in its expected state back to health.
• Trace end-to-end reachability with ping/traceroute and isolate the first hop where forwarding fails.